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Smoking and COPD: Tips for Breathing Easier

By David Wise

| By Sheldon Riklon, M.D.

Cigarette smoking harms nearly every part of your body and is the leading cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Arkansas has one of the highest rates of COPD in the U.S., and people living in rural areas often have worse outcomes. While COPD doesn’t have a cure yet, there are ways to manage it and feel better.

What is COPD?

COPD is a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe and usually gets worse over time. Smoking and vaping are common causes, but air pollution, exposure to chemicals, and genetics can also cause it.

There are two main types of COPD:

  • Emphysema damages the air sacs in your lungs, making it harder for your body to get oxygen.
  • Chronic bronchitis swells the tubes in your lungs that move air, causing mucus to build up and making it harder for you to breathe.

How to Lower Your Chances of Developing COPD

  1. Quit smoking. This is the most important step. When you quit smoking, your body starts healing right away.
  • After 20 minutes, your heart rate and blood pressure go down.
  • After one to two days, carbon monoxide in your body returns to normal.
  • After three days, your lungs start to heal, and nicotine leaves your body.
  • After one month, your lungs begin to work better, and you will cough and feel shortness of breath less often.
  • After one year, your risk of heart attack drops.
  1. Use protective equipment if you work with chemicals.
  2. Stay up to date with vaccines. Getting the flu, COVID-19 and other vaccines helps protect your lungs from respiratory illnesses that can make COPD worse.
  3. Be active. Regular activity helps you feel better and breathe easier.
  4. Take your medicine. If you have COPD, take your medicine as your doctor tells you. This can help keep your symptoms from getting worse.

Living with COPD can be hard, but these steps can help you feel better.  If you need help finding a doctor, a community health worker can help. Visit communityhealth.uams.edu to connect with one today.

Sheldon Riklon, M.D., is an associate professor in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Department of Family and Preventive Medicine and a co-investigator with the UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation.